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Skyjacker RockLock Install
12/23/06
Well I have been eyeing a new swaybar setup for the last
year and ran across one that seemed like a good idea so I started dropping
Christmas present hints to my wife. Well I ended up receiving one and
originally had the intentions of doing an install write up for it as I
haven't found any online other than what is at Skyjacker's site. However,
less than 12 hours after completing the installation, and with less than
2 hours of wheeling time on it the actual worth of the unit became apparent.
As my front end is set up with a Skyjacker adjustable front
track bar and steering stabilizer, it came to my attention upon product
delivery that I would need to order a new bracket (P/N 7146-B) in order
to have the RockLock work with my setup.
Step 1:
Disconnect the positive and negative cables for the winch from the battery
and begin the task of taking off the after market winch bumper.
Step 2:
After removing the bumper, begin removing the stock sway bar setup.
Step 3:
Using a rubber hammer, insert thicker of the two bushings into the frame
cross member. Be sure to lubricate it with water or WD-40 so that the
bushing will slide in easily.
Step 4:
Now gently insert and tap the sway bar (snap ring portion first) in from
the passenger side through the bushing previously installed in Step 3
.
Step 4
Next install the install the the hub/arm to on the drivers side of the
torsion bar. I had to disassemble the hub from the arm to prepare for
attachment of the hub/arm to the torsion bar.
Step 5:
Install snap ring on to the torsion bar to lock in the hub.
Step 6:
Gently tap the torsion bar from the drivers side with a rubber hammer
to pull the snap ring up tightly to the hub housing.
Step 7:
In the opening of the drivers side torsion bar, attach the 3/8 x 1"
bolt and washer.
Step 8:
Reattach the Toyota Warn hub.
Step 9:
Moving to the passenger side, once again using a rubber hammer, insert
the remaining bushing into the frame cross member. Be sure to lubricate
it with water or WD-40 so that the bushing will slide in easily.
Step 10:
Attach the passenger sway bar assembly to the torsion bar. Make sure it
is flush against the bushing and then tighten it down and finish it of
by attaching the 3/8 x 1" bolt and washer on the torsion bar.
Step 11:
Attach end links to the sway bar arms and your front axle making sure
the arms in a slight upward angle. I had mine set at positive 4 degrees.
Step 12:
As this setup was apparently designed on the cheap, Skyjacker decided
to use an off the shelf Toyota hub and decided not to re-label the hub
to make sense for locked and unlocked. Be sure to remember that 4x4 is
locked and to be used while on-road while the 2x4 position is unlocked
and to be used while off road.
Update:
Less than 12 hours after completely installing this product I decided
to spend the day on the trail with my brother and good friends. After
about 2 hours of mild trail riding, we decided to stop for a bit. Upon
inspecting the Skyjacker RockLock to see how it held up, I was dissatisfied
to find that the assembly is very weak and had already been damaged. I
suppose that while the axle was flexing and with the combined use of the
Skyjacker front track bar bracket, it had just enough angle to bend out
the passenger side sway bar a few inches. I have plans to contact Skyjacker
after the holidays to find out why this part has already failed and if
they will replace it free of charge.
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